Get the word out now to all you know--there's a new book out that you must have. If, that is, you enjoy pirates, magic, naval battles, treachery, honour, love--all that sort of thing. 'Tis called, The Voyage to Ruin, and is written by H.L. Trombley.
The book is a series of stories which all serve one main plot--the attempts of Captain Acheron Zeal of Her Majesty's Royal Navy of Camembert (in the world of the Quadra Terrarum) to hunt down the notorious pirate, Captain Franceline Drake, who has waged her own little war against Zeal. But of course, it could never be as simple as this. For another man's fate (and possible that of the whole world) hangs in the balance.
The book is filled with wonderful characters, excitement galore, and exceeding fine prose. This is a new kind of fantasy here, I think; one which at once holds true with the essence of traditional fantasy, while also breaking new ground and maintaining a joyous wit throughout.
Now, why am I effusing so much? Because it's good, that's why. Also, I happen to know the author, and am helping to promote it. Also also, my wife, kashi, did the interior illustrations for the book, so I have triple reason to urge everyone, everywhere to obtain it as quickly as possible. But even if these two other factors were not involved, I would recommend it most highly, for it is worth owning, and worth reading again and again.
Finally, the technical stuff. The book is currently only available on Lulu.com (the author has chosen to self-publish), and is thus only available at list price. Within about two months' time, it should be available through major book distributors like Amazon.com, and thus at their usual discounted price. However, this is by no means a sure thing, and I highly recommend you purchase it immediately--if anything, it's perfect summer reading material (also very family-friendly, ao anyone with children 12 and up who have interest in this area of fiction should not hesitate). Anyway, it's available in a beautiful hardcover edition with cover art by Jackie Sullivan (see her artist's site here) and, as I said, kashi's illustrations inside. There is also a much cheaper paperback version, but it is, alas, sans nifty interior illustrations.
So, then, without further ado, I give you the web address at which you, yes you, dear friends, can jaunt off immediately to buy said wonderful book. Enjoy!
The Voyage to Ruin |
